Liverpool expect tough challenge

Benítez verdict
Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, in Japan for the FIFA Club World Championship, gave a philosophical reaction to the draw. "It is not an easy draw but it is not the worst draw it could have been either," he said. "There are only good teams left in the competition at this stage and we could have been paired with [FC] Bayern [München], for example.

Tough task
"I'm pleased to have avoided certain teams but we will face a very tough match against Benfica. They are a very good team and proved just what they can do by knocking Manchester United [FC] out of the competition."

Learn from mistakes
Liverpool secretary Bryce Morrison told uefa.com: "They have a great stadium so it promises to be two big European nights. Hopefully we can learn from Manchester United's mistakes - we will watch the video and see what we can learn."

Benfica view
Benfica coach Ronald Koeman said: "Liverpool have a very strong side. They have a powerful defence and they don't concede many. Liverpool are favourites but we eliminated Manchester United so we can dream of getting through to the quarter-finals."

Simão subtext
Liverpool have been linked with a January move for Benfica winger Simão, a fact alluded to by Benfica sports manager José Veiga when he gave his reaction to uefa.com: "We are not thinking about selling players in the winter break and we count on Simão despite some clubs having revealed an interest in the player. He has a contract with the club and we expect to count on him. We are not a selling club at the moment."

Past meetings
Liverpool have reason to be happy with the draw, however, as on two of the three occasions they have played the Lisbon side in the European Cup, they have gone on to lift the trophy.

1978 success
In the 1977/78 quarter-finals, the English team came from a goal down to win the first leg 2-1 before a 4-1 success at Anfield. Liverpool eventually defeated Club Brugge KV in the final. The clubs then met at the same stage in 1983/84. Ian Rush gave the Reds a 1-0 home victory which was followed by a 4-1 triumph in Portugal, before Liverpool overcame AS Roma in the final.

Rush treble
The sides faced off the next season too, in the second round, and again Liverpool prevailed. Rush's hat-trick secured a 3-1 first-leg advantage, with Benfica's 1-0 win on home soil not being enough to salvage the tie.